Implementation | Menstrual Equity Report

To support the implementation and continuous improvement of the pilot, the Menstrual Equity Steering Committee was established in December 2023. Serving as a key sounding board for the initiative, the committee played a vital role in providing feedback and informing strategic direction. Comprised of 11 members engaged in equity-focused work, the group included representatives from the Office of EDI-R, the Faculties of Engineering and Mathematics, Campus Wellness, the Student Success Office, WUSA, and the GSA. Meeting bi-monthly, the committee provided ongoing feedback, shared lived experiences, and helped co-develop approaches to enhance the program’s reach and impact. Their diverse perspectives ensured the initiative remained community-informed and aligned with the university’s equity objectives.  

In May 2023, free single-use menstrual products were placed in 129 washrooms across campus, prioritizing accessibility and inclusion by stocking products in women’s, men’s, and all-gender washrooms. Washroom locations were identified in collaboration with Plant Operations, ensuring coverage across the Main, North, East, Cambridge, Kitchener, and Stratford campuses.

In December 2023, the Office of EDI-R received $8,872.00 through the Sustainability Action Fund¹² to expand access to reusable and environmentally conscious menstrual products. In partnership with Period Aisle¹³, over 200 sustainable products were acquired, along with twelve $50 gift cards. These items were distributed through events, targeted outreach, direct individual requests, and in collaboration with partners including WUSA and Campus Wellness.  

[13] https://uwaterloo.ca/sustainability/programs/sustainability-action-fund
[14] https://periodaisle.com/

Following the stocking of washrooms, community engagement and education remained central to efforts to normalize menstruation, reduce stigma, and promote an inclusive understanding of menstrual health across gender identities and campus communities.

Between October 2023 and early 2025, the Office of EDI-R, in collaboration with campus partners, including Campus Wellness and the Office of Indigenous Relations, hosted eight educational events that reached over 200 participants. These events included virtual lunch-and-learns and in-person workshops covering a wide-range of topics, including: 

• Menstruation and mental health
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
• Moon time teachings
• Menopause
• Inclusive menstruation and Trans experiences
• Nutrition for menstrual wellness
• Mindfulness for menstrual health
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Endometriosis 

To enhance learning and broaden access to menstrual supports, many educational events also served as key distribution points for menstrual equity kits. These kits, containing single-use products, educational materials, snacks, and stickers, were designed to spark conversation and reduce stigma through approachable, accessible outreach. In partnership with WUSA and the Women’s Centre, five tabling sessions were hosted, during which more than 300 kits were distributed to students, further reinforcing education through direct, hands-on engagement. The impact of these efforts resonated deeply with participants. One attendee shared:

A highlight of the initiative was an interactive screening of the movie Carrie at Princess Cinemas in January 2024, held in partnership with the local advocacy group Changing the Flow¹⁴. The event featured local queer Black artist Alana Decker¹⁵, who used visual art to spark conversation around menstrual stigma and equity. The event was attended by a total of 65 individuals, including a local Member of Parliament, Bardish Chagger¹⁶, demonstrating growing public support for the University’s efforts.

To further raise awareness and situate campus work within a national context, the Office of EDI-R partnered with Period Pin¹⁷, a national organization that maps the availability of free menstrual products across Canada, helping amplify Waterloo’s contributions to the broader menstrual equity movement.  
 

[14] https://changingtheflow.ca/
[15] https://adeckercreations.com/
[16] https://www.bardishchaggermp.ca/
[17] https://periodpin.ca/